Looking to the Future with Villanova's Strategic Plan

Your Alumni Association
Father Donohue Connects with
West Coast Alumni
The Rev. Peter M. Donohue,
O.S.A., Ph.D., ’75 A & S,
Villanova president, recently
visited with more than 250
alumni, parents and prospective
students during a series of
West Coast receptions, held
in Seattle, San Francisco, San
Diego and Los Angeles.
After each reception,
Father Peter hosted a
town hall meeting to
discuss how Villanova
has weathered the difficult
economy thanks to
constant fiscal prudence,
the university’s new
green initiatives and
continued strong admissions
interest, including
the second largest applicant
pool in school history.
He also highlighted
Villanova’s efforts to
assist students and families
facing financial hardship
during the nation’s
economic crisis.
Tee Time Is “V” Time
Through the upcoming golf outings,
Villanova alumni will be able to enjoy a
day with food and friends on the green.
Proceeds will go toward scholarships for
current Villanova undergraduates. Visit
www.alumni.villanova.edu and, under the
“Reunions, Homecoming & Events” link,
select “Golf Scholarship/Service Outings”
for more details. The following chapters
are hosting upcoming golf outings:
May 24 Long Island Chapter
Scholarship Golf Outing, Garden
City Country Club
May 26 Boston Chapter Golf
Outing – benefits the Andy Talley
Bone Marrow Drive, Stowe Acres
Country Club
“California is the fourth
largest home to Villanova
alumni. It was a pleasure to
reach out to and engage with
alumni and friends of all different
ages from four West
Coast cities,” says Mike
O’Neill, vice president for
University Advancement.
Fred Hajduk ’60, Elaine Bandalin,
Villanova president the Rev. Peter
Donohue, O.S.A., Ph.D., ’75 A&S
and Charles Bass, associate director
of the Alumni Association, socialize in
San Francisco.
June 23 Lancaster Chapter
Scholarship Golf Outing, Bent
Creek Country Club
June 28 Atlanta Chapter
Scholarship Golf Outing, Hawk’s
Ridge Golf Club
July 26 Syracuse Chapter
Scholarship Golf Outing, The Links
at Sunset Ridge
Share Your Villanova Spirit with Students This Summer
Alumni chapters across the country and internationally are staying connected to
Villanova and its students each summer by welcoming incoming freshmen with
a New Student Reception. This unique opportunity allows new students to meet
fellow classmates, talk to alumni and current students and ask questions about
life at Villanova. If you would like to get involved in the New Student Reception
program, visit www. alumni.villanova.edu to find a location nearest you.
Jean E. Gismervik ’03 A&S, Recipient of
Villanova’s 2009 Young Alumni Medal
On December 11, 2009, assistant
principal Jean Gismervik
’03 A&S approached the
auditorium of Bronx Theatre
High School expecting to
attend an assembly. Instead,
she was greeted by Villanova
University’s Gary Olsen ’74,
’80, associate vice president of
Alumni Relations, and Peter
Fong ’86, ’94, chair of the
Alumni Association’s Awards
Committee. They presented
her with the Villanova Young
Alumni Medal, an honor
bestowed annually upon a
model Villanova graduate for
outstanding professional
achievement and character.
“Villanova gave me the key
to my happiness,” says the
Massapequa/Babylon, N.Y.,
native. “Having the University
reward me for giving to
others what it had given to me
was a profound experience.”
As the youngest assistant
principal in Bronx Theatre’s
history, Gismervik brings
undying energy to this position
and to her teaching of AP
English. In a two-year span,
for example, she tripled the
amount of scholarship and
grant money for graduating
seniors.
“Many of my students
didn’t know what colleges
were out there,” reflects Gismervik.
“In the Bronx, people
don’t jog with Villanova
t-shirts on. Where was the
marketing” She began her
own campaign, calling about
50 colleges and universities.
When many of them sent
t-shirts and paraphernalia, she
displayed the items in school
and distributed shirts to coworkers
and students. She also
matched specific students
with potential schools.
“I knew that if the schools
got to know my students,” she
says, “they would see what I
saw”—bright, resilient teenagers
struggling against tremendous
obstacles to secure a better
future. Her belief was
confirmed when two seniors
were awarded scholarships to
Villanova and NYU.
Gismervik has taken many
other steps to enhance students’
readiness for college
and to broaden their vision
and exposure. A selfless
administrator and teacher, she
stated in her award acceptance
speech that she is most
proud of the achievements of
her students.
Charles Gallo, assistant principal of Bronx Theatre High School; Janay
Bates, Villanova student and Bronx Theatre alumna; Jean Gismervik
’03 A&S, assistant principal and Young Alumni medalist; Peter Fong
’86, ’94, chair of the Alumni Association’s Awards Committee; and
Gary Olsen ’74, ’80, associate vice president of Alumni Relations.
52 Villanova Magazine